Yes the title of this post says it all. Sitting here Sunday morning, wife and kids still back in NZ, stereo blaring MY music – and it’s a cracker day here in Moresby. Due to popular requests, I have taken some photos of our small compound. There are only 7 apartments, split 4 and 3. There are all three levels with the top 4 apartments having ground garaging, middle living, top bedrooms. Our’s is the opposite way with the garage on top – although this is odd, it actually works really well, all the hot air ends up in the garage – so we stay cool at night in the bedrooms. Our apartments also have a better view – however the best view is from the garage balcony… But to be honest, the living room view is pretty special, and in our bedroom we wake up to birds in the tree canopy next door (sometimes they are up singing all night though). Each floor has a toilet on it, except for the bedroom floor – it has two… The laundry is up in the garage area, and as our Haus Meri Maria hangs out up here it works out really well. She feels that she has her own space and that works for both Jacinta and her.
This is looking out to the front gate. Note the guard house to the left, this is manned 24/7 by some of the nicest people we have met here.
Here is the expanse of concrete that Jacinta runs 5km in… Yes – 5km!! Sometimes she zones out and does 7km… There is enough room for the kids to ride bikes. Not all compounds are concrete jungles, some have nice grass area’s, tennis courts and playgrounds. We like our concrete jungle though – right next door we are surrounded by trees, so our view is totally different.
Of course, before heading indoors – the pool… Used mainly by us – it is shallow at one end and drifts out to about 160cm at the deep end, the perfect depth for kids bombs!! Some pools are very deep, more like diving pools… There is also a BBQ for use here.
A few photo’s of our garage – we have a spare single bed up here, there is the laundry, a toilet and lots of storage. We have set it up so that the kids can play up here – but also so that Maria feels like she has her own space when she is at work (Maria only works from 9am – 2pm, Monday – Friday)
And the view from our garage is stunning. Yes – those are security bars, but they no longer bother us. In fact they keep the washing from flying off the balcony into the neighbours property!! 🙂
Here is some photos from the living area, I haven’t taken any of the bedrooms – cause the bed isn’t made! The bedrooms are a good size, with the master having a huge walkin wardrobe and ensuite…
Excuse the mess 😉 The dining suite and lounge suite came with the place, as well as the fridge, washer, dryer, outdoor furniture, TV cabinet, coffee table, beds (but we brought our own). Ultimately, you can leave most of your stuff behind if you move here – just bring electronics, and kitchen/bedding etc – the staples. We decided to move everything over (we gave away a lot of stuff) as we didn’t know what the future held and where the adventure might take us.
And lastly, the little 6yo girl who lives across the road posed for a photo – I’m off this afternoon to get it printed for her. Her father Mark runs the buai stand outside our compound and his wife Latu is currently heavily pregnant with their 2nd child. Elizabeth calls me Uncle – very cute. Sadly, Mark told me today – that the disabled boy that often sits with him passed away over the Xmas holidays. The boy lives in Koki, but somehow finds his way all the way up to our place, where our neighbours feed, wash and clothe him. He was severely disabled but always had a smile – very sad, but as Mark said – he is in a better place as he was always in pain.
So anyway – here is Elizabeth 🙂
If you have any requests – hey, leave a comment 🙂
cheers
Aaron
A Kiwi Expat in PNG 
Hey you 🙂 Loved the visit to your new home. Sounds like you are all in a good space/place. You deserve it!!! Certain the weather is better than here… dismal… in saying that… NZ is only as good as the salt of the earth people who occupy it… dont stay away too long…. Happy New Year to Jacinta, you and the kidlets XX Jo (and kidlets) XX
Thanks Jo – hope you and the kids had a goodie. Defintely in a good space – feel like I could change the world, but might just settle for a little bit of PNG 😉 Tell that office of yours that we are being seriously neglected up here 😉 take care, Aaron
Adorable pic of Elizabeth! Makes me remember the good of PNG…. But the bars on the windows remind me of the other part… Glad you’re doing well.
Looks gorgeous. totally envious of all that sunshine.
Aaron,
Thanks for posting those wonderful photos, they look awesome I have sent the link to my wife and she is glad to see there is alot of room for the kids to play.
Cheers
David Bruce
Aaron,
I have heard from the agency and all things going well I should now this week, hope all is well with you and and your family.
Hi, Could you help us with an agents name? We are looking for compound living arrangement with out door area plus what ever added extras we can afford. Thanks
Hi Rachel,
If you would like to move into Era Dorina, you will need to contact Credit Corporation – there are lots of vacancies up there at the moment :). I would also suggest going to http://www.skerah.com and contacting the team there. They will hook you up with DAC real estate who have lots of places on at the moment. http://www.ljhooker.com.pg and http://www.century21.com.pg have lots of rentals too :). Suggest you make sure you get a pool, backup water and power – and don’t sign a huge long lease 🙂
Aaron
Aaron, hi! I’m sherwin from Manila, will you be able to share to me your rental fee for the apartment? This is just to give me an idea since my family will be moving there in 2 months time for an expatriation assignment.
Thank you. Hope to hear from you soon.
Hi Sherwin, rental for accommodation like ours will cost between K4500 and K6500 per week +10% gst. It really depends on the compound and location.
Thanks, Aaron. This really helps. Would you also know nice and safe compounds/apartments in Lae?
Thank you. Mabuhay!
I have no experience in Lae sorry
Hi Aaron,
You have such a lovely place. I just wanna ask about cost per week for a 1 bedroom flat or apartment in Port Moresby. I am being offered a job there, name of the company is BNG Trading. Would you know if this is a good company?
Thanks for your help. 🙂
again – sorry 🙂
Never heard of BNG Trading sorry
Hi Aaron,
Also, may i ask if you can provide me information on the following:
1. 1-Bedroom Apartment/Flat rent for a month
2. Electricity cost per month (average)
3. Water cost per month (average)
4. Internet Connection per month (average)
Again, thanks so so much. 🙂
Sorry – this post was in my spam.
1 Bedroom Apartment – K2000 per week
Electricity – we spend a thrifty K500 per month, but most spend higher
Water – no cost
Internet – varies, I spend K450 per month and get 6GB of data via Digicel
hello,just how dangerous is it there/ im looking at working there,i am a single male from oz,,any single xpat women there? is it possible to go to a bar and have a good time etc,,,regards john
Hi Aaron,
Great info there, thanks.
I am a fellow Kiwi and was looking at starting business in POM and was wondering what the share accomodation was like and how I would go about finding other expats who where looking to share . I am a 40 yo Civil Engineer and am not too fussy. Just looking for a place to rest my head that is safe and clean.
Cheers Mate,
Rak
Hi Rak, I really don’t know of any shared accommodation, although it is here. I think it’s a case of just knowing the right people. The Era Dorina estate does have single quarters that are almost finished if that interests you. Credit Corporation own Era Dorina. The other option is to talk to http://www.skerah.com or try the real estate agents, they will be right in the know.
Cheers
Aaron
Hi Aaron,
My wife and I are in POM this weekend checking out accommodation (era dorina) my employer is recommending and we wanted to look at alternatives as well.
Out budget is K4950 pw which seems a bit low as all the good places seem to be around 6-7000.
Your place looks nice and spacious for us and our two boys and I wondered if you would know of any similar places that are good for families within our price range?
Struggling to find help with this to be honest and we don’t want to get stuck in a long term lease in a place that doesn’t suit us.
Thanks in advance for your help!
Cheers,
David and Lydia
Sorry David – I didn’t get to respond when you were here. I recommend Era Dorina, Stage 1 should be in your price range and there are a lot of great people living up there 🙂 I think Unit 9 is free, and it’s a great spot.